'Another glass?' Bernie asked, having downed the last of her first glass.
'why not?' Serena replied 'It's been one of those days'.
'You can say that again' Bernie sighed and asked the barman for two more red wines.
Serena's phone rang, causing her to jump a little. In the corner of her eye she clearly saw Bernie try unsuccessfully to hold back a smile.
She took her phone out of her handbag and answered it. 'Hello Jason... yes I know it's getting late... uh huh... okay... I'll be home soon, bye'
The barman placed the drinks in front of Bernie and she paid him.
'I was wondering how long it would be before he called, I'm afraid I'll have to take a rain check on that drink, sorry' Serena could see Bernie had figured as much from the way she was making short work of her own drink.
'No problem' She smiled, placing a near empty glass back on the bar 'it's about time I made tracks too'
'Impressive' marvelled Serena, glancing at Bernie's glass.
Bernie blushed. Serena delighted in making her colleague's cheeks turn crimson.
The two ladies put on their coats and grabbed their handbags before standing and looking around them at the still rather large crowd gathered for the wake.
'Should we tell Morven we're leaving?' Serena wondered aloud, gazing at Bernie.
She thought for a moment before answering 'I don't think so, she's chatting to Arthur's mum, we'll just leave them be'.
Serena nodded in agreement and they discreetly left.
Standing outside Bernie lit a cigarette while Serena wrapped her scarf tightly around her neck and stuck her hands deep in her pockets. She was freezing but enjoying Bernie's company.
Serena looked at the night sky and then at Bernie before stumbling all over her words 'Thanks, for... for earlier, in the, umm garden-'
'-don't mention it' Bernie cut in, sensing things could have gotten awkward if she didn't. She held out her cigarette and offered it to Serena.
'Oh I really shouldn't but go on' she took a quick puff and handed it back to Bernie. There was something about sharing a cigarette with her that she couldn't resist.
'you can have one if you'd like' Bernie offered, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
'No thank you, Ms Wolfe, that could be quite a slippery slope' chuckled Serena 'you're a bad influence, you know that?' She watched closely as Bernie laughed heartily and her face lit up. A pleasant warmth grew within her and she couldn't help but join in with Bernie laughing.
Bernie grinned at her friend, this day had ended surprisingly better than it had started for her. 'Jason will be wondering what's keeping you' she said and put out her cigarette.
'yes, it's odd that he's not phoned again' Serena started to walk towards the car park. She stopped and turned around when she noticed Bernie wasn't following her 'come on, I'll give you a lift' she shouted back towards Albie's.
'Are you sure? I could just get a taxi' Bernie started walking toward Serena and had absolutely no intention of getting a taxi now that she'd just been offered a lift. She was suddenly very thankfully she'd drank the two glasses and that Serena had only drank the first.
'Don't be silly, you can tell me more about driving tanks' Serena waited for Bernie to catch up and then the two continued walking side by side.
'Or you could tell me why you didn't describe my hair as best as you could have done to Jason' Bernie joked, hoping Serena would take it the right way.
'Excuse me! I happen to think your hair is very pretty!' Serena quipped and linked her arm in Bernie's, bringing them so close that their sides touched.
'I bet you say that to all the girls'